No Big 4 Reunion In Cincinnati, Rafael Nadal Withdraws

by Sean Randall | August 12th, 2018, 10:01 pm
  • 34 Comments

Just hours after winning his 4th Canadian Open title, world No. 1 Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the Cincinnati event which began today.

Nadal did have a bye and was projected to meet either Dusan Lajovic or Milos Raonic in his opener late Tuesday or Wednesday. But he will not be playing.

“I am very sorry to announce that I won’t be playing in Cincinnati this year. No other reason than personally taking care of my body and trying to keep as healthy as I feel now.


“I am very thankful to my friend Andre Silva, Tournament Director of the Cincinnati tournament, who after speaking to him on the phone understood what I said to him and understands the situation. I am sure the tournament will be a success and I wish him and his team all the best.”

So it’s disappointing in that this would have been the first event with the full Big 4 since Wimbledon last year. And of course having Rafa (and your world No. 1) in the tournament is always a good thing.

But fortunately on the bright side it doesn’t sound like Rafa’s nursing any sort of injury, it just feels like he needs to rest after a tough week, and that may pay off as he eyes his upcoming US Open title defense.

Last year Rafa played five matches ahead of his US Open championship run. And this year he played exactly five in Toronto. Plus, by winning pct, Cincinnati’s been his worst of the nine Masters events, reaching the final just once in his 2013 title effort and only two other trips to the semifinals.

Since turning 30, Federer’s only played both Canada and Cincinnati once in 2014. Now 32, maybe Rafa’s thinking long term like Federer and thinking about focusing more on the Slams.


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34 Comments for No Big 4 Reunion In Cincinnati, Rafael Nadal Withdraws

Humble Rafa Says:

Cincy surface is a joke. People who think that it’s preparation for the US Open have no idea about preparing for a grand slam.

August 12th, 2018 at 11:29 pm


FedExpress Says:

Lol

August 12th, 2018 at 11:52 pm


Solomon Ekegbu Says:

Nadal will have to stop being passive especially when he’s leading. I think he was passive to have allowed Tsitsipas to come back into the second set especially during Tsitsipas’s service games, should have gone for another break.

He only turned on the intensity when Tsitsipas broke him while serving for the second set. He almost lost that set and that would have switched momentum in the 3rd. It’s very risky tennis

August 13th, 2018 at 1:13 am


Nitesh Says:

Smart decision I think he should also start skipping one China event to have something left for ATP finals.

August 13th, 2018 at 4:23 am


Giles Says:

Great decision Rafa!

August 13th, 2018 at 4:42 am


j-kath Says:

Nitesh: Yes, it remains a vacant spot in Rafa’s stunning records.

August 13th, 2018 at 5:19 am


Colin Says:

It’s interesting to see how tennis has evolved. In team games like soccer and cricket, individuals don’t control their careers – that’s in the hands of selectors and managers. If someone is injured or simply out of form, he or she won’t get picked.

In tennis, such decisions have more and more come to be the responsibility of the individual and the coach. When Rafa was 20 he was already suffering the consequences of too much play (stress fractures). His uncle must be blamed for that to a great extent. Remember the famous remark of his doctor, that his knees were like those of a much older man? That seems long ago, and here he is, back to No 1 and not likely to be supplanted just yet. The notable point is, this sort of career management is becoming accepted by all but the silliest of online fans, and it’s tournament directors, TV companies, and sponsors who have to do the worrying. That, surely, is how it should be. Hopefully the young Greek (whose name always eludes me) will entertain us for some years.

August 13th, 2018 at 5:46 am


Daniel Says:

Smart decision. He played only 8 tornaments but won 5 (4 on clay). But of he keeps this 1/3 for outisde clay is great for him.
Next USO, Beijing (?), Shangai, Paris and WTF. Don’t thibk he eull play Basel or another 500 other than Beijing, if he plays there at all.

August 13th, 2018 at 6:53 am


j-kath Says:

Colin: Me too, re the young Greek so I’ve solved it for myself i.e. Sit+Sip (thinking the “T” that should be at the beginning fits in with sitting and sipping tea). There’s so many newish names that I’m sticking with it for the young Greek.

August 13th, 2018 at 7:05 am


Okiegal Says:

Regarding the Greek and his name….. I still like the “ Fly”…… short too…..that’s it for me! Lol

August 13th, 2018 at 10:54 am


Mystic - Willow Says:

Congratulations Rafa on an 80 th career title, pulling out of Cincy smart decision ….

August 13th, 2018 at 11:07 am


Giles Says:

Tsityflash is Brad gilbert’s nickname for Stefanos. I think it’s quite cool.

August 13th, 2018 at 11:08 am


j-kath Says:

Okiegal:

Fly is certainly short – but might miss ringing my bell.

August 13th, 2018 at 11:28 am


skeezer Says:

Rafa: Way to follow Fed in scheduling smarts👍
You’ve learned from the best.

August 13th, 2018 at 12:06 pm


Madmax Says:

Oki and Willow,

Well done to your guy. You must be so happy. He has definitely made the right decision.

Skeezer, I don’t know whether you have seen this, but if you know Bear Grylls – this was such a brilliant docu of Fed’s journey through the Swiss Alps. Here you go. It really is worth the 40 minute watch. Fed was just awesome.

Awesome!

It’s season 4, Episode 7 of Running Wild

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCX6LIdmLUA

August 13th, 2018 at 12:23 pm


Mystic - Willow Says:

Madmax thanks , but he aint my guy, hes just a tennis player, all be it an amazing one, dont do the whole my guy / your guy stuff , just want him fit for the USO so agree smart decision pulling out of Cincy ….

By the way lovely sporting gesture from Rafa to let Sissy have a first serve after that crowd interuption ….

August 13th, 2018 at 12:29 pm


Humble Rafa Says:

Rafa: Way to follow Fed in scheduling smarts👍
You’ve learned from the best.-
—
20 coming up.

August 13th, 2018 at 12:51 pm


Humble Rafa Says:

By the way lovely sporting gesture from Rafa to let Sissy have a first serve after that crowd interuption
—
Thanks Willow. Even if I deliver world peace, I am not winning that sportsmanship award. That’s the truth.

August 13th, 2018 at 12:52 pm


Okiegal Says:

@JK…..He zips around the court like a fly…. but stung like a bee…Theim, Joker, Sasha, Anderson OUCH! Fell short in the finals… but wow!! A talented young man for sure and congrats to him on a stellar year so far! BTW I googled correct pronunciation of tsetse fly and his last name (audio) they start out sounding the same… first t silent then you hear the word set in the fly and sit or set in his last name. I’m learning so much with Google, the best thing since sliced bread!

@Madmax….Thanks! Since I don’t have my guy anymore, I will gladly claim Rafa as my own!! LOL! 🌿🌿🌿

August 13th, 2018 at 1:13 pm


j-kath Says:

Okiegal: I’d probably end up spelling “titse” fly wrongly – whoops!

August 13th, 2018 at 1:19 pm


j-kath Says:

Andy getting spanked.

August 13th, 2018 at 1:21 pm


Okiegal Says:

JK….. it’s tricky!!

August 13th, 2018 at 2:02 pm


j-kath Says:

Okiegal: I’m worn out with using my crystals.

August 13th, 2018 at 2:35 pm


Mystic - Willow Says:

Damn gutted about Andy

August 13th, 2018 at 4:24 pm


Okiegal Says:

@JK…… understanding more about your comment and crystals! Andy’s match score today was rather odd…..Yes get rid of the crystals ASAP!!!!

August 13th, 2018 at 4:41 pm


Okiegal Says:

JK…… Hey get out your rosary beads instead!! Lol

August 13th, 2018 at 4:43 pm


RZ Says:

Pouille on a hard court was a tough draw for comeback trail Andy. I’m guessing he’ll take a wildcard into Winston-Salem, as I can’t imagine he wants to go to the US Open with only 3 good matches in Washington to show for it.

August 13th, 2018 at 5:13 pm


j-kath Says:

Taa RZ + M-Willow. He ain’t finished til he says he’s finished.

Okiegal: Naughty, naughty. It is crystals that make watches and clocks work.
And are capable of easing pain …oh boy I can verify that. It’s tiring though –
and I got weary in round 3. Mea culpa – I’m to blame for his loss. I was hungry
and my vino was waiting. Next time I shall try to hold on (or is it “off”?) a bit
longer.

August 13th, 2018 at 5:38 pm


Daniel Says:

Isner losing is great for Djoko, now he just need to go 1 round later than them and he gets #8 rank and seed for USO.

Also DImitrov defend title and if he loses R3 and Djoko semis Djoko secures to 8 also.

August 13th, 2018 at 6:42 pm


Okiegal Says:

@JK…….Being a tennis fan ain’t for sissies….. nor is getting older…….lol!

August 13th, 2018 at 6:57 pm


Humble Rafa Says:

j-kath Says:
Andy getting spanked.
—
Thou shall not speak ill of those who wear skirts.

August 13th, 2018 at 8:13 pm


BBB Says:

What is with Steve Johnson’s 70s ‘stache?

August 13th, 2018 at 10:16 pm


j-kath Says:

U are trying too hard, HR.

August 14th, 2018 at 4:44 am

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